Thoughts on medicine and thankfulness

Arriving at Kaweah Delta District Hospital at 6:00 this morning for my husband-who-lives-across-town’s gall bladder removal (he was first on his surgeon’s schedule for the day), I had ample time to ponder the blessings of modern medicine. From the moment we walked in the door (the wrong one for where we really needed to go) the staff was unwaveringly gracious and helpful. I, as chauffeur, dropped my husband off at the front entrance and then headed across the street to the parking garage. When I returned to the front desk where he should have checked in, an employee approached me and asked if I had just dropped a gentleman off. When I said “yes,” she asked me to follow her, and escorted me to the proper department around the corner and across a small parking lot. With a smile. At 6:00 a.m.

Waiting for his initial pre-op prep so that I could go into the back and wait with him, I thought and prayed about two other surgeries happening today. A young wife and mother I only know from FaceBook was facing a potentially life-threatening abdominal surgery, and her doctors were anticipating massive reconstruction and a possible 4-5 day hospital stay. And one of my younger cousins, in her early thirties, was undergoing a double mastectomy due to breast cancer. I prayed for wisdom, compassion, and accuracy for the medical teams, and strength and patience for their families both before and after surgery. And I wondered how their procedures were progressing.

Here at home, we were anticipating a very routine laparoscopic surgery, followed by a couple of post-op hours in the surgical center, and then making our getaway. The hardest thing for me the entire time was trying to stay awake (or snooze in my chair without snoring), after a wake-up time of 4:45. And it was cold in the hospital, which I know is for the sake of the machines and equipment, but still makes me very uncomfortable. But the surgery went very well, and in a timely manner he was out of recovery and waiting in the post-op area. Soon all that was left was the clearance from his surgeon before he went home.

So we waited. And we waited. And we waited. Then the surgeon arrived, explaining that the surgery he had started as Grant went into recovery was more complex than had been anticipated, and he couldn’t get away until he was completely finished. We were grateful for that, knowing that thoroughness and attention to detail were hallmarks of this particular surgeon.

Meanwhile I read on FaceBook that my friend’s surgery was far simpler once they had an opportunity to look around inside her abdomen, and she was able to go home to her husband and children today. And I continued to pray for a good outcome for my cousin and her surgical team.

So at the end of the afternoon, my husband was cleared to go home, where his best friend was waiting to take care of him for a few days. I am grateful for friends such as these, who are willing to set their own lives aside to care for someone else.

All three surgeries were successful. All three teams…scattered across the country…had the same goal: the health and safety of their patients. And I am incredibly grateful.

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10 thoughts on “Thoughts on medicine and thankfulness”

Hi Fawn,
I’m so happy to read all 3 surgeries went well for all 3 patients. I hope you were able to get some rest in the process. Modern medicine, at times, is nothing short of miraculous as are friends who help out in times of need.
My 82-year-old dad had several procedures/surgeries in a row last year. Last week, he and my mom returned from a trip to Florida. The 2 of them enjoyed driving up and down the coast visiting all their Floridian friends and now they’re back making their next round of plans. He’s enjoying a full life.
I wish a full recovery for all 3 patients. I’m sending good thoughts your way this weekend.
AnnMarie 🙂

Thank you, AnnMarie. I slept like a rock last night! My daddy is 87, and a year ago he had back surgery. Sailed through the surgery, but the anesthesia had repercussions that kept him in the hospital for 15 long days. Barring serious illness, many of our Greatest Generation have had so little medication that, when they do, it impacts them very hard. I am glad to hear of your parents’ adventures…you are so blessed to still have both of them with you. My cousin has a long treatment and recovery ahead, but the prayers of many are covering her.

My granddaughters just played their last soccer games of the season this morning, and this afternoon this Grammy will be cheering California Chrome on to the Triple Crown. A great weekend, for sure! – Fawn

The anesthesia gave my dad a difficult time too. I do feel blessed still having both my folks – and I do so enjoy their company. My 5 sibs and I affectionately call their frequent visits – “The Millie and Billy Show” 🙂
I hope your cousin does well and stays strong. My 81-year-old, mother-in-law has survived 3 different types of cancer and one was breast (she had a mastectomy).
Perhaps, you’ll get to relax a bit now that soccer is over and can cheer CC on as he hits the finish line first! How wonderful would it be to have another Triple-Crowner!
AnnMarie 🙂
We’ll be watching too!

A happy, self-indulgent space where I write things for YOU to read! These things I write about include life, travel, first world problems, myself and other people. Sometimes I try to be funny, but mostly I'm not.